This year marked the 65th Anniversary of Barbie. Coming off of a highly successful year in 2023, thanks to the Barbie film, Barbie continues to be a leading conversation this year thanks to the milestone anniversary celebration. Since the beginning, Barbie has helped young girls and women explore their limitless potential through various narratives and roles, leading the character to play out over 250+ careers.
In 2023, we saw a 256% spike in traffic of Barbie Wiki, making it the biggest wiki jump on Fandom that year. This was thanks to the 2023 hit blockbuster film titled Barbie, which introduced us to a whole sleuth of Barbie iterations and variations on the big screen. From President Barbie, to Writer Barbie, to Dr. Barbie and even Weird Barbie, there’s a Barbie for everyone, further inspiring girls that “you can be anything”.
As we look back at this momentous milestone for a beloved-IP, that’s celebrated by our beloved community members on Barbie Wiki, we asked a few of our Fandom staff members as to what Barbie did they most identify with as we aim to recognize women who not only serve as role models but also those who help shape the entertainment/media industry worldwide, further inspiring/empowering young girls who use the platform to unlock their full potential, especially within the specific industry Fandom operates in.
Lineup[]
Our lineup includes:
- Stephanie Fried (Chief Marketing Officer)
- Brenna Harran (Corporate Communications Senior Manager)
- Mandy Olson (Manager, Community Partnerships)
- Ivy Pulchan (Senior Product Designer)
Stephanie Fried, Chief Marketing Officer
Brenna Harran, Corporate Communications Sr. Manager
Mandy Olson, Manager of Community Partnerships
Ivy Pulchan, Senior Product Designer
Hear from Staff[]
Is there a Barbie that you most identify with or what Barbie would you say you are? Why?
- Stephanie: I only had a couple of Barbies and it was a quick phase for me (I remember Peaches and Cream Barbie and really liked the accessories!) but overall I’m sure I identify with multiple Barbies. We’re all multi-faceted and I’m a mom, leader, marketer, friend, U of M fan and many other things so I guess I’d be a Barbie who might not be designed around a specific attribute but shows up in many different ways every day.
- Mandy: Weird Barbie, period. She’s such an icon. I definitely had my fair share of weird Barbies as a kid (ok maybe all of them eventually became weird Barbies, which did in fact smell like my grandma’s basement) but seeing her character fleshed out on screen made me realize, oh yeah, I’m actually Weird Barbie too, all the way down to the pink Birkenstocks. Life really does imitate art. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always deviated from the norm - from my artistic expression to my visible tattoos to dying my hair every color of the rainbow to defying gender stereotypes - all of which uniquely make me who I am (but were seen as "weird" in society's eyes). As someone who grew up not knowing I was queer or neurodivergent and not understanding why I felt (and was treated) so differently from everyone else, Weird Barbie’s story really resonated with me. She stands out as someone who’s unapologetically herself, even in the face of judgment and misunderstanding from others. Just like me, she doesn’t fit the mold, and she doesn’t care to. There’s only one of you, so create your own mold. It’s much more fun that way.
- Ivy: Growing up, I didn’t always feel represented by Barbie. Being Indo-Caribbean, I didn’t see my culture or background reflected in her image. However, there was something wonderful about Barbie’s vast world of careers that really inspired me to dream big and imagine beyond the limits of what I saw around me. She might not have looked like me, but her ability to be an astronaut one day, a doctor the next, dive into STEM, become president, and then an artist showed me that careers aren’t fixed and that I could pursue any of my interests in life. I’m a combination of Art Studio Barbie and Paleontologist Barbie. My journey started with a love for hands-on creation, such as drawing, painting, crafting, and building with LEGO, which connects me to Barbie’s artistic side. This passion eventually led me to a career in visual design and then product design, allowing me to blend my creativity with problem-solving in tech. My childhood dream of being a paleontologist reflects my curiosity for exploration and discovery. Similar to how a paleontologist uncovers fossils, I love uncovering insights and designing with purpose. Barbie taught me to dream big and that I could be anything, even if I had to create my version of it.
How do you hope to shape the Fandom platform, especially for young girls and women?
- Stephanie: I want to make it easier for all people, including girls and women, to get joy out of entertainment and gaming. This entails getting information to watch/play better but also, and maybe more importantly, feeling safe and connected. Some people don’t have anyone “IRL” who loves the things they love- the ability to find their people through Fandom is incredibly important to me. Empowering, connecting and celebrating people are the things I think about when contributing to our platform strategy.
- Brenna: In my role in communications at Fandom, I aim to tell stories about our company and what we do to help fans worldwide be their authentic selves and celebrate the TV, movies, games, and more that they love the most.
- Mandy: My ultimate goal has always been to celebrate our users for who they are and what they love. I want to make Fandom an inclusive space where everyone - especially young girls and women - can feel empowered to show up as their authentic selves and not only be accepted, but celebrated for it. I think particularly in nerd culture, things can sometimes feel catered to and gatekept by men, but the reality is, women can be geeks too! We deserve to be included in spaces where we can connect with others around our passions, and that sense of belonging and knowing our voices have an impact is a powerful experience that can ultimately shape confidence and creativity. Communities thrive the most when everyone is able to bring their individuality, passions, and unique perspectives into their contributions and conversations, and by promoting a more vibrant community overall, I hope to show everyone how important and valuable their presence and input is. I can honestly say that Fandom has changed my life by giving me an online family of people I could share my interests with, and that same joy is something I want to be able to give to everyone else.
- Ivy: I hope to shape the Fandom platform into a space where everyone, especially young girls and women can feel safe, included, and inspired to share their interest and creativity. My work focuses on building features and tools that support high-quality content creation, while also designing moderation tools that make the platform safer for all users. By empowering our community with tools that promote respect and inclusivity, we create an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing. I believe that by fostering a space where all voices are heard and protected will encourage young girls and women to express themselves confidently. Whether they are sharing their knowledge or learning from others, I want Fandom to be a place where they can connect with their interests and feel their unique perspectives are valued.
Barbie celebrates and inspires limitless potential... do you have any advice for young girls, women and or aspiring editors who are looking to follow your path?
- Stephanie: There is a tendency to be fearful of the things you don’t know, the skills you don’t have yet, the products and services you don’t personally engage with. Get comfortable with new things- take leaps into new areas, lean on your network and team members to learn, trust your instincts and experience.
- Brenna: The sky's the limit! I always knew I wanted to work in entertainment but wasn’t sure exactly how to get there.
- Mandy: Believe in yourself and your dreams, no matter how outrageous they may seem. You are an unstoppable force if you put your mind to it. Invest your energy into your passions and strengths, find the things that motivate you, define what success specifically looks like to you (because it's different for everyone!), manifest the future that you want, and put in the work, learning, and perpetual self improvement needed to get there. Take it one step at a time - success will not happen overnight. I’m living proof that no matter where you start from or how many challenges you may face in life, if you stay committed and believe in the things you want to achieve, you will be successful. For so long, I felt like I’d never find my place in the world and wondered if a stable career was even in the cards for me. But to all my fellow disabled/chronically ill girlies, I promise you are valuable, worthy, and capable of pursuing your dreams too. There are countless ways to get there, and each of us are meant to follow our own unique path. Don’t compare someone else’s timeline to your own or let anyone’s expectations or perceptions define you or your goals. Focus on your own journey and development, and don’t forget to support and uplift others along the way. There’s room at the table for everyone to thrive.
- Ivy: My advice is to embrace all aspects of who you are, even those that may not fit the typical mold. Growing up, I was passionate about art and design and explored a wide range of interests. I dreamed of becoming a doctor, an archaeologist, and an artist. This blend of passions ultimately led me to study and pursue a career in design. For young girls, women, and aspiring editors, I encourage you to remain open to learning and to follow what excites you! There’s no single "right" path, and often, the most rewarding careers come from pursuing what you’re passionate about. Find a path that lets you do what you love, and you’ll bring your best, most creative self every day. Embrace curiosity, keep learning, build confidence in your abilities, and keep exploring until you find where you’re meant to be!
Why do you think role models are important, especially within this career, for young women?
- Stephanie: Community is built around commonalities- similar personal attributes, similar interests, similar perspectives. You’re more likely to feel an immediate connection or kinship with someone who is similar to you in some way. Being a woman is one point of connection, and sometimes, seeing someone with a connection excel or exceed enables you to believe you can excel and succeed as well.
- Mandy: I think as women, it’s easy to (wrongfully!) place limitations on ourselves, especially in a society where we’ve had to fight for equal rights, even still to this day. The glass ceiling, the broken rung, the mirrored door, or whatever other metaphor you’ve heard - it’s all very real and can sometimes feel impossible to conquer. Seeing other women thriving in positions you aspire to reach makes it possible to envision similar opportunities for yourself and even aim higher and break barriers of your own. Especially in the tech industry, where women are still underrepresented, role models are so important, particularly in leadership roles. Having successful women to look up to can be a powerful motivator and confidence builder for young women who might otherwise feel like the field isn’t for them. But it is. Women can and should be at the table shaping the future of our industry and helping to create a more inclusive and empathetic environment. As someone who’s now in a leadership role, I hope I can show other women that they belong here and can make a meaningful impact too.
- Ivy: Role models are important because they show us what’s possible and help us see aspects of ourselves in places where we may not feel represented. I have been inspired by Barbie, actresses of color, strong female characters in TV shows, and authors. These fierce, unapologetic influences taught me to push past the noise and limitations, find the courage to speak up and stand up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult. They instilled resilience and determination in me, shaping my belief that I could forge my own path. In fields like design, representation and role models matter because they help break down barriers, make you feel seen, and give you the confidence that your dreams are achievable. For young women, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, seeing someone in a similar role is a reminder that there’s a place for us here. It shows us that our voice, creativity, and ideas are valuable and needed, encouraging more women to bring their full selves into these spaces.
How does it feel to be a role model for women on the platform and how do you use your role within your Barbie identity?
- Stephanie: I love being a role model mostly because I enjoy modeling effective collaboration, influence and empathy. Understanding where people are coming from, what they need and how you can be successful together is, to me, the most important driver of success in business (and probably in life!) So I would probably say I’d be listener or curious Barbie!
- Mandy: To be honest, I’ve never really considered myself as a role model, but I feel so honored to be regarded as such. It’s incredibly fulfilling and rewarding to know that my journey can inspire others to follow their passions and fully embrace who they are. As someone who identifies with Weird Barbie, I want to show everyone that it’s ok to be different and to own the parts of ourselves that make us stand out - that's where we truly shine. In my role specifically, I aim to create an environment where authenticity is celebrated and everyone feels empowered to share their voice and contribute exactly as they are, both within my own team and the communities we serve. I think especially for those of us that embody the “weird” spirit, it can sometimes be challenging to find places where we feel like we belong. There’s just something so beautiful about being able to come to Fandom to discover a community of people with shared interests who genuinely appreciate and value your unique qualities and perspectives. Building and fostering those communities (and interacting with all you amazing people within them!) is my greatest passion in the world, and I feel so lucky every day that I get to do it as my career.
- Ivy: It’s both humbling and inspiring to be seen as a role model for young girls and women on the platform. Knowing that my work can encourage others adds a deeper sense of purpose and meaning to what I do. As someone who identifies with Barbie’s adaptability, ambition, and creativity, I strive to bring those qualities to life in my work. I use my role to design tools and experiences that support and empower a diverse community, ensuring that everyone has the right to explore and express their creativity. Just like Barbie encourages people to embrace all parts of themselves, I want to create a welcoming space where everyone can feel seen, valued, and share their perspectives. My goal is to show that, like Barbie, we don’t need to fit into a single mold –- there’s room for every voice and vision. By fostering inclusivity and encouraging self-expression, I hope to inspire others, especially young women, to see tech and design as fields where they can bring their authentic selves and thrive.
Happy 65th Barbie! How have you celebrated Barbie's 65th Anniversary? Do you have any favorite Barbie memories? Comment below!
Fandom Staff
Miller is a Community Manager for Entertainment at Fandom. He is a huge fan of Barney the Dinosaur and loves animated films. When not online, he enjoys reading, writing and listening to music.
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